What This Boosterthon School Did for Their Students Will Blow You Away

Paloma Creek Elementary, a 5-year client outside of Dallas, TX, wanted to try something a little different with their Boosterthon program this year. Since a percentage of their students couldn’t financially participate in the program, Principal Natalie Mead and another principal in her zone, Renee Koontz, came up with an idea they called Adopt-A-Falcon.

The program provided an opportunity for underprivileged students to be “adopted” by a sponsor who agreed to make them a $1 per lap pledge. As a result, students would be able to contribute financially and feel more connected to the Fun Run.

According to Natalie, the program enabled Paloma Creek to shift the focus of the Fun Run to one of their core values: advocating for others.

According to Natalie, Adopt-A-Falcon enabled Paloma Creek to shift the focus of the Fun Run to one of their core values: advocating for others.

“This year’s Boosterthon program became about advocating for students who really desired to raise money for our school but could not for various reasons,” she said. “Adopt-A-Falcon provided a sense of purpose and connection to the Fun Run that was fresh and new.”

The idea for Adopt-A-Falcon began in a collaboration session with Paloma Creek’s local Boosterthon team. Christin Killingsworth, their Program Director, brought a lot of energy to the idea and told some of her friends about it. The next thing Natalie knew, she started getting emails from David Jones, the General Manager of the Dallas Boosterthon team, and other Boosterthon team members who wanted to “adopt” a Falcon.

The next thing Natalie knew, she started getting emails from David Jones, the General Manager of the Dallas Boosterthon team, and other Boosterthon team members who wanted to “adopt” a Falcon.

And when teachers at Paloma and around the district heard about the project, they jumped in and adopted Falcons too.

“It grounded our run and breathed new life into it,” she said. “Everyone’s perspective changed. The run was no longer about us. It was about ‘Changing the World’ [a Boosterthon mantra]. It was about having hearts of gratitude and generosity.”

“It grounded our run and breathed new life into it. Everyone’s perspective changed. The run was no longer about us. It was about ‘Changing the World.'”

According to Natalie, a total of 22 students participated in the program, and many were transformed by the experience. And all because of a great idea, a phenomenal team, and a wonderful partnership.

“We LOVE Boosterthon and look forward to seeing where it leads our campus next year,” said Natalie.

We’re so grateful to work with creative school partners like Natalie and Paloma Creek who are committed to “changing the world” with us!